Councils Defend Runway Alternation

They say proposals from the City of London will result in day long noise for residents

Councils opposed to Heathrow expansion say people in south and west London would face non-stop noise throughout the day if a proposal by the City of London to scrap runway alternation went ahead.

Transport minister Theresa Villiers confirmed in September 2010 that the Government would be retaining the relief provided to residents from the practice of planes switching runways at 3pm each day.

The 2M Group of councils said today that it would continue to defend the quality of life of residents under the flightpath in south and west London.

In 2009 the group, which campaigns on behalf of communities affected by Heathrow operations, forced the previous government to back down on plans to end the 3pm change-round.

It was the first major victory in a campaign which ended in the overturning of the third runway plan.

The City of London Corporation wants the two runways to be used for both take-offs and landings as a means of increasing capacity at the airport.

Wandsworth leader Edward Lister, speaking on behalf of 2M, said:

"Allowing planes to land continuously on one runway would effectively double the noise dose for people under the flightpath. The coalition government has made its support for runway alternation absolutely clear. Ministers understand the protection it provides to people under the flightpath.

"The 2M Group will continue to speak up for its residents interests on this vital environmental issue."